Undergraduate Veterinary Internships: A Comprehensive Guide

For undergraduate students aspiring to a career in veterinary medicine, internships offer invaluable opportunities to gain practical experience, refine career interests, and strengthen their veterinary school applications. These programs bridge the gap between academic knowledge and the realities of veterinary practice, providing hands-on exposure to clinical work, research, and animal care. Whether your interests lie in small animal care, wildlife conservation, animal rehabilitation, or veterinary research, a well-chosen internship can significantly impact your future educational and career path.

The Value of Veterinary Internships

Undergraduate veterinary internships offer a multitude of benefits, including:

Practical Experience: Internships provide firsthand exposure to real-world veterinary practices, allowing students to apply their academic knowledge in a clinical setting.
Resume Enhancement: Participation in internships significantly enhances a student's resume, showcasing their commitment to the field and providing tangible skills and experiences to discuss during interviews.
Career Exploration: Internships allow students to explore different areas within veterinary medicine, helping them make informed decisions about specializations and career paths.
Skill Development: Interns develop technical and interpersonal skills while working alongside veterinary professionals, improving their ability to handle animals, assist in procedures, and communicate with clients.
Networking Opportunities: Internships provide a chance to build relationships with veterinarians, technicians, and researchers, creating a valuable professional network for future career opportunities.

Featured Veterinary Internship Programs for Undergraduates

Here are several veterinary internship programs designed for undergraduate students, offering diverse experiences across various fields of veterinary medicine:

1. APHIS Career Experience (ACE) Program

Description: The APHIS Career Experience (ACE) program is a unique student internship opportunity that combines on-the-job technical training with leadership and professional development. ACE interns form a cohort of peers across academic and career tracks, learning and collaborating together throughout the year-long program. ACE is specifically designed to prepare successful interns for permanent positions within the agency after graduation.
Eligibility: Open to rising college sophomore and junior students who are in good academic standing.
Duration: Full time through the summer and continue working at least 16 hours a week through graduation.
Application Requirements: Applicants will need current transcripts and proof of enrollment, a USAJOBS account, resume, and any veterans’ documents.

2. Purdue Veterinary Scholars Summer Research Program

Location: Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, IN
Stipend: \$4,500 for undergraduates
Dates: May 27 - August 5
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Undergraduate students with an interest in veterinary or biomedical research
Description: This 11-week summer program is designed for students interested in exploring research-focused careers within veterinary medicine. Participants work with a faculty mentor to develop and conduct an independent research project and attend weekly seminars on various topics, including ethics, lab animal medicine, careers in academia and government, and clinical trials. The program includes group activities like visits to pharmaceutical companies and peer networking events. You will prepare an abstract and poster on your summer research project and present your findings to the PVM faculty.

3. Ladder University Internship Program

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies; financial aid available
Dates: Multiple 8- to 12-week cohorts throughout the year, including in summer, winter, fall, and spring
Application Deadline: August 24 for the upcoming cohort; multiple cohorts run every year
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10 to 20 hours/week
Description: This virtual internship places students in early-stage, fast-growing startups in fields like health tech and medicine. You will work on real projects under the guidance of your assigned manager and a Ladder Coach, gaining practical experience while contributing to a live company environment. Past host startups have included founders backed by Y Combinator and top-tier tech firms. You will also receive one-on-one mentoring in skills like communication and time management and participate in cohort-wide group training sessions. At the end of the program, you will present your work directly to the company team.

4. Penn Vet Working Dog Center Internship

Location: University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Dates: June - August (10-week commitment)
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: All college students and recent graduates who are at least 18 years old
Description: This internship provides undergraduates with experience in the training and care of scent detection dogs at a leading academic facility. You will assist with daily training sessions, data collection, enrichment activities, and health monitoring for working dogs in training. The program also offers opportunities to learn about canine fitness, behavior research, and performance medicine. You will work alongside a multidisciplinary team of veterinarians, trainers, and researchers.

5. UC Davis Summer Enrichment Program (SEP)

Location: University of California-Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA
Stipend: \$750
Dates: June 25 - July 25
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: Undergraduate students (18+), from disadvantaged backgrounds, with at least one year of completed biology or chemistry and a minimum 3.0 GPA
Description: This full-time, four-week program is designed to strengthen your veterinary school application through direct academic and clinical exposure. Each weekday, you will spend mornings in clinical rotations and afternoons engaging in lectures, workshops, and site visits. You will engage in tasks like practicing suturing techniques, learning safe animal handling, and participating in discussions about veterinary careers. You will also gain insights into specialties like equine health and wildlife medicine while interacting with faculty, staff, and current veterinary students. In workshops, you will get college application prep guidance, which covers personal essay writing, course selection, and interviews.

6. Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Undergraduate Internship

Location: Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Pullman, WA
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Dates: Begins each Spring semester; minimum three-semester commitment
Application Deadline: Spring application window: October - November (internship begins in January) | Fall application deadline: April 11 (internship starts in August)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students at WSU or the University of Idaho pursuing pre-veterinary studies; preference given to sophomores and juniors
Description: The Veterinary Teaching Hospital Undergraduate Internship places you in clinical rotations, including departments like small and large animal medicine, oncology, exotics, anesthesia, and more. As an intern, you will commit approximately six hours per week during the academic semester, observing and assisting with patient care tasks in various hospital units. As you progress, you will experience advanced rotations and eventually mentor incoming interns. The experience is designed to help you become familiar with hospital operations, clinical protocols, and veterinary specialties through sustained, hands-on exposure.

7. Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute Internships: Primate Animal Keeper Internship

Location: Smithsonian’s National Zoo, Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Dates: September - December (Fall Session)
Application Deadline: July 14
Eligibility: College juniors, seniors, or recent graduates pursuing a related field
Description: This internship can offer you direct experience in primate care at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. You will assist keepers with daily husbandry tasks-cleaning enclosures, preparing enrichment, and monitoring animal behavior. A commitment of three days a week, including one weekend day, is required. The program offers the opportunity to engage in a small behavior-focused project and get some exposure to USDA and AZA standards. You will also learn the basics of operant conditioning, animal enrichment, and zoo safety protocols.

8. Seneca Park Zoo Pre-Veterinary Internship

Location: Seneca Park Zoo, Rochester, NY
Stipend: \$750 per week; housing not provided
Dates: Four weeks between May and August
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Pre-vet undergraduates with at least two years of coursework completed, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and 100+ hours of veterinary experience with companion or food animals
Description: This four-week internship introduces you to exotic animal medicine and zoo-based conservation through a structured, hands-on program. You will rotate through the zoo’s various animal care areas, working with species such as marine mammals, primates, carnivores, birds, and reptiles, to understand husbandry routines and behavioral observations. You will work with veterinary staff, assisting them in conducting clinical rounds, surgeries, necropsies, and preventive care procedures. Each week, you will dedicate time to a research project developed with the zoo’s lead veterinarian and submit findings to the Zoo Animal Hospital Library. In addition to clinical and research experience, the program can offer insights into welfare, diagnostics, and preventive health in a zoo setting.

9. Fossil Rim Animal Discoveries Internship

Location: Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, Glen Rose, TX
Stipend: \$300/month + free on-site shared housing
Dates: Spring: January - May; Summer: May - August; Fall: August - December
Application Deadline: October 1 (Spring); March 1 (Summer); June 1 (Fall)
Eligibility: College students or recent graduates who are 21 or older and have at least two years of undergraduate coursework in wildlife science, biology, or related fields
Description: This full-time internship gives you hands-on animal care experience with both domestic and exotic species in a public education setting. You will be involved in both animal-focused tasks and guest engagement as an intern, getting detailed insights into zoo and wildlife education work. You will also spend time engaging in outdoor tasks in extreme weather conditions. You will work with a range of animals-goats, tortoises, pigs, parrots, reptiles, black-footed cats, and more-and assist with daily tasks involving husbandry, enrichment, training, and medical observation. The internship also offers educational outreach opportunities, through which you will deliver exhibit talks, assist with biofact tables, work with volunteers on animal care and public education projects, and interact with visitors as a representative of the animal care team.

10. Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary Veterinary & Orphan Care Internship

Location: Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary, Alturas, CA
Cost/Stipend: Not specified; on-site lodging available.
Dates: Rolling intake; minimum 1-month commitment required
Application Deadline: No fixed deadline; early application recommended due to limited spots
Eligibility: Students who are 18+, currently studying or graduated in a veterinary-related field, and have clinical experience as well as at least two educational/professional references
Description: This internship provides practical, hands-on experience in wildlife medicine within a rehabilitation setting. During your time at the sanctuary, you will shadow veterinary staff and support the daily care of rescued animals. In your first month, you will assist with feeding neonates, observe triage, surgeries, and necropsies, help administer medications, and maintain care logs. You will also contribute to enrichment, diet prep, and husbandry for species in recovery. If you choose to stay longer, you may find opportunities to build advanced skills like bandaging, catheter insertion, and fluid therapy, as well as participate in supervised surgical procedures and physiotherapy. Educational lectures and workshops are also part of the experience.

11. Blue Ridge Wildlife Center Wildlife Rehabilitation Summer Internship

Location: Blue Ridge Wildlife Center, Boyce, VA
Stipend: \$100/week for part-time interns and participants opting for housing | \$200/week for full-time interns without housing
Dates: 12-week summer program; May - August
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: College students who are 18+
Description: This internship immerses you in wildlife triage and rehabilitation during the center’s busiest season, offering hands-on training in species identification, disease and toxin recognition, and safe animal handling. You will assist with animal husbandry tasks, including feeding, cleaning enclosures, and preparing diets, and develop biosecurity protocols. You will also observe and assist a wildlife veterinarian with treatment and diagnostic procedures. Through daily casework and guided mentorship, you may build foundational skills in wildlife care and learn about veterinary-adjacent practices during the internship.

12. Zoo Miami’s Zoo Hospital Clinical Internship

Location: Zoo Miami, Miami, FL
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Dates: 16-week commitment involving 600+ hours of work; Spring: January - April | Summer: May - August | Fall: September - December
Application Deadline: Summer: February 15 | Fall: June 15 | Spring: October 15
Eligibility: Students who are 18+, recent college graduates, or currently enrolled in college
Description: If you are looking to explore veterinary medicine in a zoological setting, this internship places you directly within Zoo Miami’s animal health team. You will shadow veterinarians, vet techs, and clinical staff as they carry out diagnostic procedures, treatments, surgeries, and case management. Work takes place in the on-site hospital and is structured like a full-time clinical rotation, running Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. The program also includes seminars with zoo professionals to deepen your understanding of zoo medicine, wildlife care, and veterinary careers.

13. Zoo Miami’s Sea Turtle Hospital Internship

Location: Zoo Miami, Miami, FL
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Dates: 16-week commitment; Summer: May - August | Fall: September - December | Spring: January - April
Application Deadline: Summer: February 15 | Fall: June 15 | Spring: October 15
Eligibility: Recent college graduates and current college students who are 18+
Description: As a Zoo Miami Sea Turtle Hospital intern, you will be part of the rehabilitation team working to treat and release injured or sick sea turtles. You will assist with animal feeding, enrichment, water quality checks, tank maintenance, and biosecurity protocols. You may also get to observe veterinary procedures and assist with hospital operations. While direct medical handling is limited, the internship offers exposure to marine animal care and veterinary support tasks.

14. North Carolina Zoo’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Internship

Location: North Carolina Zoo, Asheboro, North Carolina
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid; on-site housing available (free for 12-week interns, reduced fee for 10-week interns)
Dates: Year-round; 10-week option: 200 hours (3 days/week + training) | 12-week option: 360 hours (5 days/week + training)
Application Deadline: July 2 (Fall session)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students or recent graduates

15. University Veterinary Center Internship Program

Description: Student interns will have the opportunity to:
- Observe client interactions and participate in the history taking process
- Get involved with cases and help perform physical examinations with our medical staff
- Participate in learning veterinary computer software and learn how to pull and review medical charts using an all electronic medical system.
- Participate in case rounds with technicians, technician assistants, and of course, our medical director.
- Watch surgery and scrub into surgery. Students will be encouraged to participate in surgical cases and the actual surgery procedure.
- Students will be taught how to "round" on cases and will be responsible for their patients.
- Students will have the opportunity to be "on call" with our medical director. As such, they will be afforded the opportunity to participate in emergency cases and emergency surgery.
- Intern lectures and topic rounds will be performed whenever possible.
Requirements:
- Good attitude
- Ability to get to and from your internship "shifts", when applicable.
- Good, positive attitude.
- Minimum of 10 hours per week.
- You will absolutely be required to help around the hospital and aid the support staff in any and all aspects of patient care and hospital function.

Finding Funding for Your Internship

The cost of internships, especially those involving travel or living expenses, can be a barrier for some students. Fortunately, numerous scholarships and funding opportunities are available to help offset these costs. Here are some resources to explore:

Loop Abroad Scholarships

St Matthews University School of Veterinary Medicine (SMUSVM) Scholarship: Offers a \$10,000 scholarship to SMUSVM to alumni of Loop Abroad travel programs.
Loop Abroad “Vet Squared” Initiative: Provides scholarships of \$500 - \$1,000 for in-person programs and \$1,000 - \$3,000 for select self-paced virtual programs for active duty military and veterans.
Loop Abroad Dr. Erica Ward Scholarship: Offers one full tuition scholarship to cover tuition for one one-week program in the US, one two-week program in Thailand, or a virtual course.

External Scholarships

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship: Funds up to \$5,000 of tuition, with an additional STEM Supplemental Award of \$1,000.
Gilman-McCain Scholarship: Provides awards of up to \$5,000 for 2+ weeks of international travel or online programs for US citizen undergraduate students who are child dependents of active duty service members and receive any type of Title IV federal financial aid.
Freeman-Asia Scholarship: Awards up to \$3,000 for summer programs in East or Southeast Asia. This scholarship can be applied to our Thailand programs for 2+ weeks.
Fund for Education Abroad (FEA): Scholarships range from \$1,250 - \$10,000 for US citizens or permanent residents currently enrolled as an undergraduate at a college or university in the US.
Animal Welfare Institute Scholarship: Offers up to 12 awards of \$3,000 each.
SeniorCare.com Aging Matters Scholarship: Awards a \$1500 scholarship annually to a college student that best demonstrates why “Aging Matters” to them.
First Trip: Offers scholarships for students who are studying abroad for the first time. At the time of writing, Thailand, Costa Rica, and Belize programs would be eligible for these \$1,500 scholarships.
Sallie Mae Scholarship: Gives \$2,000 to one winner at the end of every month of the year.
The Going Abroad Scholarship: Offers a \$1500 scholarship twice a year.
GoTranscript Academic Scholarship Program: Offers \$5,000 twice a year (during the Spring and Fall semesters).
Coca-Cola Scholarship: Open to students in their final year of high school with a minimum of 3.0 GPA who are planning to pursue a degree at an accredited US institution
IMG’s Leave Your Mark Grant: The opportunity is available to individuals all around the globe.
My Wife Quit Her Job Scholarship: This scholarship is available to both undergraduate and graduate students, 18 years

University Scholarships

Many universities offer scholarships and grants specifically for students participating in internships or study abroad programs. Check with your university's financial aid office or study abroad department for available opportunities. Examples include:

Read also: Undergraduate Programs at UNC

Texas Tech University Continuing Undergraduate Students Scholarships
Colorado State University Education Abroad Common Scholarship
Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences Scholarship
UC Davis Continuing Undergraduate Scholarship
UC Davis Undergraduate Scholarships
Tuskegee University Scholarships
Arizona State University
North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University
University of New Hampshire
The Ohio State University: Global Education Funding
SUNY Scholarships
Rutgers Undergraduate Scholarships
Alma College Scholarships
Auburn University
Bellarmine University
Clemson University
Findlay University
Kansas State (KSU)
Prairie View A&M (PVAMU)
Oregon State University
Miami University (in Ohio)
MSU Michigan State University
North Dakota State University
Saginaw Valley State University
The University of Rhode Island
University of Tennessee Knoxville
University of Georgia
Utah State University
University of Wisconsin Whitewater

Gaining Veterinary Experience Beyond Internships

While internships are a valuable component of pre-veterinary education, gaining additional experience through volunteer work, shadowing, and other activities is also crucial.

Accumulating Veterinary Experience Hours

Most veterinary programs require a minimum of 180 hours of veterinary experience, but competitive applicants often report between 2,500 and 3,000 hours at the time of application. Students are encouraged to begin acquiring experience as early as possible, even during high school.

Diversity of Experience

In addition to the number of hours, the diversity of experience is key to a strong application. Applicants should demonstrate exposure to a range of veterinary settings and species. Examples of relevant experience include:

Small animal clinics or general veterinary practices
Large animal or farm-based veterinary work
Animal shelters, humane societies, or rescue organizations
Wildlife rehabilitation centers or zoos
Research laboratories involving animal care
Specialty or exotic animal practices

Documenting Your Hours

Veterinary schools require detailed records of your experience, including dates, locations, roles, and supervising veterinarians. Maintaining a well-organized log or spreadsheet throughout your academic journey will help streamline the application process and ensure accuracy when reporting your experiences.

Reaching New Generations of Vets

Amongst our extension efforts is an internship for Tulare County high school students at the Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center (VMTRC). The internship is led by Dr. Sharif Aly and Dr. Gabriele Maier, both professors at the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis.

The internship aims at educating high school students about the important roles that veterinarians play in animal and public health and food safety and security. High school interns will acquire an understanding of which college paths lead to veterinary school admission, experiences that can strengthen their veterinary school application, and how to fund their veterinary education.

Read also: Boost Your Financial IQ

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